Manila is in her heart

International star Lea Salonga stages a homecoming concert aptly titled Songs from Home, which is set on Sept. 12 and 13, at the PICC Plenary Hall.

Songs from Home marks a sentimental journey of sorts for the Laurence Olivier-and Tony-winning singer-actress.

Truth be told: Songs from Home is not only Lea’s farewell concert as a bachelorette, the two-night concert also heralds her return to singing Original Pilipino Music, backed up by the 50-piece Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, no less.

Songs from Home is another special musical journey, in the fine tradition of her previous concerts, from A Miss Called Lea to The Broadway Concert.

In fact, the producers (Lyncor Incorporated) have signed up a topnotch team of artists and professionals to support Lea in this undertaking.

Heading the list is Lea’s equally gifted brother Gerard Salonga as musical director. Frequent collaborator Bobby Garcia, who directed The Broadway Concert as well as Proof (Lea’s recent foray into straight drama), will once again take over the directing chores. To digress a bit: Bobby will also direct the ABS-CBN special on her dream wedding.

Also joining Bobby and Gerard in the production team are sound designer Bobit Jacinto, scriptwriter Mickey Muñoz, set designer Gino Gonzales, light designer Gerry Fernandez, and executive producer Ferdie Agustin of Bayo.

Sharing the stage with Lea is hitmaker Ogie Alcasid and Ariel Rivera. Presented by Bayo, Songs from Home promises to be another unforgettable musical experience.

Lea, Gerard, and Bobby are cooking up something grand and heartwarming.

"While The Broadway Concert paid homage to artists from the American musical theater scene, Songs from Home, as the title suggests, will highlight the best music from Filipino composers," Bobby relates. "Songs from Home is really the perfect follow-up and contrast to The Broadway Concert. For sure, those two nights will be enchanting evenings of pure OPM music, as sung by one of the country’s, if not the world’s, finest singers."

Indeed, it is a musical celebration, Lea’s loving tribute to the Filipino music makers who have enriched her life and career through the years. Aside from enjoying an international career, she was also blessed with a platinum-minted recording career when she waxed hit CDs for BMG Pilipinas (Lea In Love and Lea By Heart).

It is fascinating why Lea still continues to find joy and fulfillment in performing for her countrymen in spite of the countless awards and accolades that she has been showered with on both sides of the Atlantic, on Broadway and the West End.

What makes the lure of the Manila stage so compelling for the International Star?

"The one thing that I really miss in this place are my family and friends. They are the reason why I come home," she quips. "And I really miss performing here. It’s really different. It’s so different performing for the home crowd."

And she acknowledges that Pinoys are the most challenging audience to perform for in the whole wide world.

"But if you can win them, then you must be good," she beams. "Then, there must be something there."

Take it from one who has performed in front of queens, kings, presidents, and other global dignitaries.

"I try to win the Filipino audience every time I perform," she asserts. "I may not be successful every time, but I try to. The Filipinos, you have to court them every time you perform for them. You woo them. You flirt with them. You try to win their confidence. And they go, like, ‘Let’s see what she can do.’ You really have to prove yourself."

This constant need (nay, passion) to excel (and prove herself) has fueled this remarkable artist’s brilliant career.

In every performance, whether for a concert, a play or a movie, she consistently endeavors to give nothing less than 101 percent of herself.

"With as much honesty, truth, and integrity as I could," she discusses how she prepares for each new project. "That’s how I was trained."

Her US sojourn undoubtedly helped her mature not just as an artist, but also as an individual.

"It’s tough," she says of her stint in the international scene. "You learn to be a consummate professional, in everything that you do, in every sense of the word. You need to be constantly on your toes. You really have to work hard. You learn to have this attitude, that you have to keep on moving to the next thing. From one job to another, you keep on moving. Constantly. You’re a gypsy out there."

Will the gypsy ever find home?

"Home is still here," Lea shares wistfully, "It’s still Manila. I’ll never give it up for anything. One day, I would like to raise my children here. I may probably not end up living here permanently, but Manila will always be home. The Philippines will always be home. Home is where the heart is."

With Songs from Home, the International Star finally comes home.